Embattled Blue Bombers placekicker Alexis Serna connected on a 33-yard field goal with 1:32 left to give Winnipeg a come-from-behind 24-23 victory over the Alouettes in a CFL contest before another soldout crowd of 20,202 at Percival Molson Stadium, McGill University's facility, yesterday.

The Bombers won despite being forced to use all three quarterbacks, and losing starting tailback Joe Smith for most of the second half.

"It felt good," Serna said of the game-winner. "I guess that's what I'm supposed to do so I didn't really get too excited."

But he must have been a bundle of nerves after missing an easy 26-yarder in the first quarter.

"I missed the first one and I just put it behind me," said Serna, who also kicked two 15-yard field goals and two singles. "The guys rallied around me and just said, 'Put it behind you, we're going to need you,' and they were exactly right."

They were also happy for him.

"It was awesome," said defensive back Kelly Malveaux. "He won one for us. It's great for his confidence, I'm sure, and hopefully, it carries over to the rest of the season for us."

Ryan Dinwiddie replaced starting quarterback Kevin Glenn when he suffered a minor thumb injury attempting to make a tackle after throwing an interception. But Bryan Randall was forced to finish when Dinwiddie suffered an ankle sprain.

Randall led the offence down the field to get Serna into position to kick the game-winner.

'HAVING FUN'

"It felt good to get back on the field," said Randall, who ran for 37 yards in five carries. "It's rare (to play) when you've got two guys in front of you ... I had to get out there and run around a little bit when things broke down and I completed a ball. I was having fun out there."

The best part was putting the club in position to win.

"Yeah, that was big," said Randall, who completed one of five passes for nine yards. "It's big for my confidence and it also gives a lot of confidence to the team. You know, the third-string quarterback goes in and if it comes down to me, they know it's somebody that they can depend on."

Glenn completed 13 of 18 passes for 121 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown pass, but also threw an interception that Montreal defensive back Khalil Carter returned for a touchdown.

"When you go through three quarterbacks and still are able to produce a win that feels good: That means you've got a good team." said Glenn, whose thumb is OK.

Winnipeg, which has clinched second in the East, improves to 7-10 while the first-place Alouettes fall to 11-6.

It was the first time Winnipeg has beaten the Als this season and they turned the trick on Montreal's home turf.

"I hope our players feel like they sent them a message, whether they (Alouettes) feel it or not," said Bomber head coach Doug Berry. "I hope that our guys feel that we came here for a purpose and we achieved our purpose."

The Bombers are hoping to return here for the East Final in three weeks after hosting the Edmonton Eskimos in the division semifinal on Nov. 8.

"We're just happy to come out with a victory," said veteran slotback Milt Stegall. "We're going into the playoffs regardless, but it's nice to know we can beat them if we meet them again. And hopefully, we meet them again."